Vernon Downs Gains Reprieve from Closure

Vernon Downs, ordered to shut down Dec. 31, won a temporary reprieve Friday when a New York State Supreme Court justice in Albany granted a restraining order holding off the closing for about 30 days.

The state Racing and Wagering Board rejected the track's application for a 2003 license on Monday and ordered the closure, citing the track's history of financial problems.

The track plans to appeal the license denial before the racing board, Vernon Downs Marketing Director Mark Scalzo said.

Two officers of the track's parent company, Mid-State Raceway, Andrew W. Goodell, the chief executive officer and president, and board chairman David Jensen resigned Friday evening during a board of directors meeting, Scalzo told the Syracuse Post-Standard.

The company decided it would pursue a plan to install as many as 1,200 video lottery terminals if it can regain its operating license.